Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth celebrates with teammates
Alexander Sorloth came off the bench to score a hat-trick as Atl9tico Madrid sealed a dominant 4-0 win over Girona in La Liga. Though the visitors were already assured of third place, they will be somewhat relieved after avoiding a first sequence of four successive away league blanks since 2011.
With Girona safe and Atletico locked into that all-too-familiar third position, this was expected to be a sedate affair compared to yesterday’s battles for European spots and LaLiga survival. However, the opening half proved reasonably energetic, even if the final execution was lacking.
The best chances of the first 45 undoubtedly fell to Julian Alvarez, who was twice thwarted in his attempt to find the bottom-left corner by decent saves from Vladyslav Krapyvtsov. The latter was an ambitious free kick from the edge of the box.
Overall, Atletico had the lion’s share of the chances during the first half, but the Blanquivermells held firm against a side aiming to defy their status as the worst travellers amongst the top five in terms of points-per-game.
Visiting manager Diego Simeone's frustrations duly boiled over in first-half stoppage time, and he went into the referee’s notebook for dissent when complaining about a lack of justice against Yangel Herrera after his apparent manhandling of Rodrigo De Paul.
Something more innovative would be needed from the Argentine manager if he was to make it a seventh win in nine H2Hs vs Michel (D1, L1). He resisted any urge to turn to his bench during half-time though, and the usual pattern resumed, with a combination of crossbar and goalkeeper denying Antoine Griezmann from the tightest of angles before Samuel Lino saw a shot put over by Daley Blind – much to the relief of Krapyvtsov, who had been left helpless by the deflection.
Finally, Simeone turned to his bench for inspiration on the hour mark, bringing on his youngest footballing son Giuliano, alongside Sorloth. With the added incentive of overtaking teammate Alvarez as the club’s top scorer for 2024/25, Sorloth took just six minutes to break the deadlock.
A sequence of neat passes culminated in Alvarez finding De Paul, who played a ball for Sorloth across the face of goal, allowing the Norwegian to pick his spot and net his 18th league goal of the campaign.
Already assured of posting their lowest La Liga finish since returning to the top flight three years ago, Girona posted a feeble response. A close-range finish for Clement Lenglet from Krapyvtsov’s fumble and two more for Sorloth sealed a one-sided victory for Simeone’s men.
They’ll fancy their chances of starting the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup assertively, while Girona’s attentions turn to a much sooner event as a mere point for Sevilla – who play Villarreal this afternoon – will see the Blanquivermells finish as the ‘worst of the rest’.
Check out all the match stats here.
Sorloth's 24/25 LaLiga xG map
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. And that's how six English clubs secured UCL next season UCL Woman Champions EPL teams in UCL next year Pep Guardiola's "Worst Season Ever" Ends with a 3rd Place Finish While Others Celebrate Their Best! 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo.2021: Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane.2022: Marcelo, Casemiro, Isco, Gareth Bale.2023: Karim Benzema.2024: Toni Kroos.2025: Luka ...
Chelsea are preparing to open formal talks with Moises Caicedo over a new long-term contract, with negotiations expected to take place in the coming months, according to Fabrizio Romano.The club's intention to secure the Ecuadorian midfielder's future has been in place since March, and the process is now set to move forward.Caicedo, who arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer in a British record &#...
WHAT HAPPENED?Less than an hour after Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr's final game of the Saudi Pro League season, the 40-year-old said "this chapter is over" in a social media post - hinting he won't play for his current side again. He did not say what his next move would be, though, amid links with Major League Soccer and his first club, Sporting CP.WHAT RONALDO SAIDHe wrote on Instagram on Monday ni...
Liverpool have wrapped up a sensational 2024/25 season in grand fashion. The Reds finally had their moment of glory, lifting the Premier League trophy after their final match against Crystal Palace.Ismaila Sarr and Mohamed Salah traded goals at Anfield to cap off a fruitful campaign. It was indeed a day for the Liverpool faithful to savour, as they watched Virgil van Dijk proudly raise the trophy ...
Man Utd launch move for £50m-rated MbeumoManchester United are eyeing a move for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo after almost sealing Matheus Cunha's transfer from Wolves.After virtually sealing Cunha's transfer, United are now eyeing a move for Brentford star Mbeumo, according to talkSPORT. The Cameroon international had a dream outing with the Bees this season as he appeared in all of their 38 Pre...
Matheus Cunha could take over from Marcus Rashford at Manchester United. (Image: Getty.)Matheus Cunha could effectively be Marcus Rashford’s replacement at Manchester United, with the Red Devils reportedly ready to pay the £62.5million release clause in his Wolves contract. And Rashford, likely to leave after his public falling-out with Ruben Amorim earlier in the season, may be able to...
Manchester United have included Alejandro Garnacho in their squad for their post-season tour (Image: GETTY)Manchester United have confirmed their 32-man squad for their post-season tour to Asia. And there is a place for Alejandro Garnacho, despite the fact he has been tipped to exit the club this summer.Garnacho was left out of the starting line-up for the Europa League final on Wednesday evening ...
Arne Slot (Image: Getty)Liverpool chief Arne Slot has hailed Michael Jordan as the epitome of success and is urging his squad to draw inspiration from the basketball titan as he aims to carve out a legacy at Anfield. The Reds are poised to hoist the Premier League silverware at Anfield for the second occasion in five years, despite many players experiencing both triumph and near misses under Jurge...
Bryan Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford this season (Image: Getty)Manchester United have reportedly initiated talks with Bryan Mbeumo over a summer transfer. The Cameroon international, 25, was in unstoppable form for Brentford this season, starting every single one of their 38 Premier League games, scoring 20 goals and laying on seven assists.With Mbeumo entering the prime years...
Ruben Amorim addressed Old Trafford after Sunday's game (Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)Ruben Amorim's departure from Sporting CP was an emotional watershed moment, as players were left in tears over his exit. Between 2020 and 2024, Amorim had a glorious run at the helm of the Primeira Liga club, bagging three league titles along with three domestic cups, until Manchester United shelled o...
- 1 Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Prediction 25 May 2025
- 2 Chelsea making progress over Caicedo deal
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Amorim promises revival after disaster
- 5 Man City target right-back Tino Livramento
- 6 Man United man makes stunning claim
- 7 Man City suffer Wirtz alternative blow
- 8 Goodbye Jack Grealish?! Pep Guardiola axes Man City star from squad for crucial Fulham clash as transfer talk continues to swirl
- 9 Manchester United vs Aston Villa Prediction 25 May 2025
- 10 Ronaldo appears to confirm Al-Nassr exit